Chapter 561: The next conflict
Within the imposing walls of Vorah, the metallic sound of swords echoed among the ancient stones of the training courtyard. Cassandra and Samira dueled with precision and strength, their quick and accurate movements tracing lines in the air as they dodged, attacked, and blocked with perfect choreography. The afternoon sun illuminated their sweaty faces, while the sound of metal mingled with the wind blowing through the open windows of the fortress.
Between blows, Samira looked away from Cassandra with a serious expression. “Did you hear that? Exterminino… a dragon word.”
Cassandra stopped moving, her eyebrows arching slightly. She took a deep breath, switching the sword to her left hand as she prepared to continue. “Dragon words… Yes, no doubt about it. It’s an ancient word, used to announce total destruction, the end of everything. He probably found Scathach.”
Samira frowned, trying to process the information. “You talk about her as if she were… special. Why is that? What does she mean to you?”
Cassandra raised her sword and took a step forward, resuming the rhythm of the training, her eyes fixed on her opponent. “She is a supreme genius. She’s not just any warrior. Scathach learns everything, teaches everything, does everything, creates everything. Everything you can imagine, she has done—and alone.”
Samira, now dodging a swift blow, gave her a curious look. “Really? What do you mean, ‘alone’? It’s not common for someone to develop things of this level on their own.”
“She developed the entire system of draconic runes,” Cassandra replied, her tone full of respect. “Alone. She learned it on her own, discovered every symbol, every connection, every hidden power. It didn’t come from masters or books. It was she, and she alone, who broke through the barriers of ancient knowledge.”
The silence between them was filled only by the rhythm of swords, when Samira, somewhat provocatively, asked, “Was she possessive? Like, with Strax?”
Cassandra paused longer this time, her expression softening as she remembered. “As far as I can remember, no. She was a normal person… or as normal as someone who went through everything she went through can be.”
Samira raised her eyebrow, impatient with the mystery. “Normal? Brutal? What does that mean?”
“She was tough, yes,” Cassandra continued, returning Samira’s blow with a quick movement, almost like a warning. “Brutal, mainly because of my mother’s influence. My mother was always relentless, shaping Scathach not only to be a warrior, but to be a force of nature, relentless and direct.”
Samira stopped her attack, staring at her friend with a half-smile. “And do you think she’s still like that? The Scathach I knew?”
Cassandra slowly lowered her sword, her gaze lost in memory. “She died. Everyone dies someday, especially when they fight for what they consider essential. But coming back to life is different. She must be a few screws loose, if I may say so.”
Samira approached, her eyes shining with curiosity. “I hope Strax is well and that he can control his mother-in-law.”
A sigh escaped Cassandra, as if carrying that secret was too heavy a burden. “Strax is everything to her. The only bond that really matters. Maybe that’s what makes her so different—she’s not just a warrior, she’s a mother. And that changes everything. I think it’s best to train and prepare. She won’t let us have him so easily.”
As the intense pace of the duel between Cassandra and Samira continued, Monica’s firm voice cut through the air, causing the swords to pause mid-movement.
“Samira!” she called, urgency in her voice. “Your sister has finally woken up.”
Samira froze, her breathing still rapid from the effort, and glanced quickly at Cassandra before sheathing her sword.
“For now, consider it a draw,” she said, a slight smile forming on her lips despite her concern.
Cassandra raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile lighting up her face. “A draw? A draw only happens when the battle is over, not in the middle of combat.”
Samira ignored the provocation and quickly headed toward where Monica was pointing, her quick steps tracing a path between the stones of the courtyard.
“I’m going to see my sister,” she said over her shoulder, without looking back.
Cassandra shook her head, still smiling, and put her sword away, preparing herself for what was to come.
Samira entered the simple, dimly lit room where Stella lay on the bed, her eyes still a little blurry from her long slumber. The curtains barely let the sunlight in, creating a quiet, shadowy atmosphere, punctuated only by the young woman’s slow, steady breathing.
She approached slowly, her expression laden with a mixture of relief and apprehension. She sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Stella’s pale face. “How long do you think you slept?” she asked, her voice soft but firm.
Stella opened her eyes slowly, blinking as if to wake up from a dream. “Days… many days,” she replied, her voice still hoarse and weak. “I don’t know exactly how long, but long enough for everything to change outside.”
Samira sighed, her hands resting on her knees. “Are you ready to tell the truth now?”
Stella’s answer came without hesitation, her eyes seeking her sister’s with painful sincerity. “I’ve already said everything I could, Samira. I have no intention of going against you. I just want you to come back.”
The silence between them hung heavy in the air, laden with memories and unspoken decisions. Samira took a deep breath, shaking her head, a sad smile crossing her lips. “That will never happen. I’m not going back to the Blazer Duchy, not even if I’m dead.”
Stella closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the weight of rejection, but remained calm. “Then a war will probably start… Our father should be coming to Vorah soon.”
Her father’s name seemed to hang in the air like a concrete threat, and Samira felt a twinge of unease grow in her chest. She didn’t want to relive that past, nor see the old ghosts resurface with fury.
“He’ll come,” Samira agreed, her eyes darkening. “And when he comes, he’ll be killed. It’s simple.”
Stella squeezed her sister’s hand gently, a gesture that sought comfort and strength. “Don’t start a stupid war… I just wanted to reconcile with you…”
Samira looked at her and said, “There were many opportunities for reconciliation during the several years I was away from home. But none of you cared. And now that I’m happy with the man I love, you show up wanting me back.” She let go of her sister’s hand and smiled.
“If necessary, I will exterminate the entire Duchy of Blazer and wipe out our entire family. Total extermination for my happiness,” Samira said.